Read, Pray, Listen

How easy to think, "I'm the only one." When you suffer you feel isolated. You want to talk about it, but maybe the people around you are tired of hearing about it. You pray, and feel like God isn't listening. He is. He hears the cry of your heart. He counts every tear. He doesn't get tired of listening to you. You can ask Him, "Why?" but really, that isn't a useful question. A lot of times suffering and pain are simply a mystery - part of being a fragile, sinful person in a fragile, broken world. There are better questions.. "WHAT do I need to do to move forward towards holiness? HOW can I take a step in faith and hope right now? WHO does the Lord want me to help, even in my pain?

Today at Mass I watched as the people came back to their seats after receiving Holy Communion. I've been in this parish long enough to know the people, especially the daily Mass folks. As they filed by I thought about all the suffering these dear people have endured., She lost her husband in her 40s. She had an abortion when she was 16. They have ten children and only two are still Catholic. She lost her husband and her son in the same plane crash. She has two deaf/blind children. He has had a quadruple bypass and is living on borrowed time. All of his kids have left the faith. She has been a widow for 40 years. Her husband is an alcoholic. She has had cancer twice.

You are NEVER alone. Look around in any crowd. Look around at Mass. God wants to comfort you, like a father cuddles his dear little child. Let Him. Then reach out. Someone else is suffering just like you. Will you help?